Is Midland, Texas Shower Water Safe? What's In Your Water (2026)
Khat Cruz
Last updated: April 2026.
Is Midland, Texas Shower Water Safe?
Population: 142,344 · Water Source: Colorado River Municipal Water District (Lake Spence, Lake Thomas)
For residents of Midland, Texas, understanding what's in your shower water is crucial for your family's health and well-being. Despite municipal treatment, various contaminants can still reach your tap, impacting skin, hair, and respiratory health every time you shower. Knowing these hidden elements empowers you to take proactive steps for a safer and more comfortable bathing experience.
💧 Where Does Midland's Water Come From?
Primary Source: Colorado River Municipal Water District (Lake Spence, Lake Thomas)
Midland's primary water supply is surface water, sourced from the Colorado River Municipal Water District's reservoirs, including Lake Spence and Lake Thomas. This water undergoes extensive treatment at the city's facilities, including coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection, before being distributed to homes and businesses.
Treatment: Chloramination (chlorine + ammonia), filtration, coagulation, sedimentation
🔬 What's In Midland's Shower Water?
Here are the key contaminants detected in Midland's water supply based on real testing data from the EWG Tap Water Database:
| Contaminant | Level Found | EPA Limit | EWG Guideline | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS) | 0.0000 ppt | 1e-05 ppt | 0.0000 ppt | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (6083x above) |
| Arsenic | 6.64 ppb | 10.0 ppb | 0.0040 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (1659x above) |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA9) | 22.15 ppb | No federal limit | 0.060 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (369x above) |
| Dibromoacetic acid | 9.10 ppb | No federal limit | 0.030 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (303x above) |
| Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) | 41.82 ppb | 80.0 ppb | 0.150 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (279x above) |
| Bromochloroacetic acid | 4.37 ppb | No federal limit | 0.020 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (219x above) |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA5) | 14.28 ppb | 60.0 ppb | 0.100 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (143x above) |
| Dibromochloromethane | 10.63 ppb | No federal limit | 0.100 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (106x above) |
| Bromodichloromethane | 5.15 ppb | No federal limit | 0.060 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (86x above) |
| Bromoform | 24.01 ppb | No federal limit | 0.500 ppb | ⚠️ Exceeds EWG Health Guideline (48x above) |
Contaminant Details
Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS)
The health guideline of 0.001 ppt for perfluorohexane sulfonate was defined by EWG based on studies by Phillipe Grandjean of Harvard University and many other independent researchers who found reduced effectiveness of vaccines and adverse impacts on mammary gland development from exposure to PFOA and PFOS, the two PFAS most widely detected in drinking water. This health guideline harm to the developing immune system.
Comparison: State average: 0.0000 ppt. National average: 0.0000 ppt.
Shower Impact: Contaminants in shower water can be absorbed through the skin and inhaled as steam, increasing your daily exposure beyond what you get from drinking water alone.
Arsenic
The health guideline of 0.004 ppb for arsenic was defined by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment as a public health goal, the level of a drinking water contaminant that does not pose a significant health risk. This health guideline protects against cancer.
Comparison: State average: 0.942 ppb. National average: 0.624 ppb.
Shower Impact: Arsenic in shower water can be absorbed through the skin. Long hot showers increase exposure time and absorption.
Haloacetic acids (HAA9)
The health guideline of 0.06 ppb for haloacetic acids (HAA9) was defined by EWG . This health guideline protects against cancer.
Comparison: State average: 23.90 ppb. National average: 23.70 ppb.
Shower Impact: These disinfection byproducts become airborne in hot shower steam. You can inhale and absorb them through your skin, potentially increasing your exposure beyond just drinking water.
Dibromoacetic acid
The health guideline of 0.03 ppb for dibromoacetic acid was defined by as . This health guideline protects against cancer and harm to fetal growth and development.
Comparison: State average: 2.64 ppb. National average: 1.13 ppb.
Shower Impact: Contaminants in shower water can be absorbed through the skin and inhaled as steam, increasing your daily exposure beyond what you get from drinking water alone.
Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)
The health guideline of 0.15 ppb for trihalomethanes was defined by in a peer-reviewed scientific study by EWG and represents a one-in-one-million lifetime cancer risk level. as a draft public health goal, the level of drinking water contaminant that does not pose a significant health risk. This health guideline protects against cancer.
Comparison: State average: 25.58 ppb. National average: 29.06 ppb.
Shower Impact: These disinfection byproducts become airborne in hot shower steam. You can inhale and absorb them through your skin, potentially increasing your exposure beyond just drinking water.
Bromochloroacetic acid
The health guideline of 0.02 ppb for bromochloroacetic acid was defined by as . This health guideline protects against cancer.
Comparison: State average: 3.82 ppb. National average: 2.80 ppb.
Shower Impact: These disinfection byproducts become airborne in hot shower steam. You can inhale and absorb them through your skin, potentially increasing your exposure beyond just drinking water.
Haloacetic acids (HAA5)
The health guideline of 0.1 ppb for haloacetic acids (HAA5) was defined by as . This health guideline protects against cancer.
Comparison: State average: 12.54 ppb. National average: 19.82 ppb.
Shower Impact: These disinfection byproducts become airborne in hot shower steam. You can inhale and absorb them through your skin, potentially increasing your exposure beyond just drinking water.
Dibromochloromethane
The health guideline of 0.1 ppb for dibromochloromethane was defined by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment as a one-in-a-million lifetime risk of cancer. Values greater than one-in-a-million cancer risk level can result in increased cancer cases above one in a million people.
Comparison: State average: 5.95 ppb. National average: 3.55 ppb.
Shower Impact: These disinfection byproducts become airborne in hot shower steam. You can inhale and absorb them through your skin, potentially increasing your exposure beyond just drinking water.
Bromodichloromethane
The health guideline of 0.06 ppb for bromodichloromethane was defined by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment as a one-in-a-million lifetime risk of cancer. Values greater than one-in-a-million cancer risk level can result in increased cancer cases above one in a million people.
Comparison: State average: 6.50 ppb. National average: 5.89 ppb.
Shower Impact: These disinfection byproducts become airborne in hot shower steam. You can inhale and absorb them through your skin, potentially increasing your exposure beyond just drinking water.
Bromoform
The health guideline of 0.5 ppb for bromoform was defined by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment as a one-in-a-million lifetime risk of cancer. Values greater than one-in-a-million cancer risk level can result in increased cancer cases above one in a million people.
Comparison: State average: 3.34 ppb. National average: 1.44 ppb.
Shower Impact: Contaminants in shower water can be absorbed through the skin and inhaled as steam, increasing your daily exposure beyond what you get from drinking water alone.
🧴 How Midland's Water Affects Your Skin, Hair & Health
When you shower, contaminants in the water don't just wash off — they're absorbed through your skin and inhaled as steam. Here's how Midland's water quality may be affecting you:
🧖 Skin Effects
- Excessive dryness and itching, especially for eczema sufferers
- Irritation and redness from chlorine/chloramine
- Soap scum residue leading to clogged pores and dull skin
- Premature aging due to chemical exposure
💇 Hair Effects
- Dry, brittle, and damaged strands
- Dullness and lack of shine due to mineral buildup
- Color fading in treated hair from chlorine
- Increased frizz and difficulty styling
🫁 Respiratory Effects
- Asthma and allergy flare-ups from inhaled chloramine and DBPs
- Irritation of nasal passages and throat from chemical vapors
- Increased risk of respiratory issues with long-term exposure to DBPs in steam
- General discomfort during showering for sensitive individuals
✅ What You Can Do About It
Test Your Water
A professional water test provides a detailed report of contaminants specific to your home's plumbing and water usage, offering a clear picture of what you're dealing with.
Install a High-Quality Shower Filter
Shower filters are effective at reducing chlorine, chloramine, and other chemicals that can harm your skin, hair, and respiratory system, improving your shower experience significantly.
Use a Water Softener (for whole home)
For severe hard water issues, a whole-home water softener can eliminate mineral buildup, protecting your plumbing and improving skin and hair health.
Limit Shower Time and Temperature
Shorter, cooler showers can reduce exposure to volatile chemicals in steam and minimize the drying effects on skin and hair.
Moisturize Immediately After Showering
Applying a rich, hydrating moisturizer to damp skin helps lock in moisture and counteract the drying effects of hard or chlorinated water.
Protect Your Skin & Hair From Midland's Water
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Related Reading
- psoriasis triggered by shower water
- trihalomethanes in treated water
- hexavalent chromium in water
- shower water quality in San Antonio, Texas
- shower water quality in Amarillo, Texas
Is Midland tap water safe to shower in?
While Midland's tap water meets EPA safety standards for drinking, contaminants like chloramine, disinfection byproducts, and hardness minerals can still negatively impact skin, hair, and respiratory health during showering. Many residents find that addressing these concerns significantly improves their comfort and well-being.
Why does my skin feel dry and itchy after showering in Midland?
Midland's water is moderately hard, meaning it contains high levels of dissolved minerals like calcium and magnesium. These minerals, along with chloramine used for disinfection, can strip natural oils from your skin, leading to dryness, irritation, and aggravating conditions like eczema.
Can Midland's hard water damage my hair?
Yes, hard water can cause significant damage to hair. The minerals in Midland's water can build up on hair strands, making them feel dry, brittle, and dull, while also hindering shampoo lather and causing color-treated hair to fade faster.
Are shower filters effective against Midland's water contaminants?
Yes, many shower filters are highly effective at reducing common Midland contaminants such as chloramine, chlorine, and some disinfection byproducts. They can significantly improve water quality for showering, leading to softer skin, shinier hair, and reduced respiratory irritation.
What are disinfection byproducts and why are they in my shower water?
Disinfection byproducts (DBPs) like TTHMs and HAA5s form when disinfectants like chloramine react with naturally occurring organic matter in the water. They are a concern because they can become airborne in shower steam and be absorbed through the skin, posing potential long-term health risks.
